Crusty Bread |
Have you noticed how expensive a crusty loaf of bread can be at your local bakery or even the grocery store? This time of year I really like to have a crusty loaf of bread to serve along with a hot bowl of soup or a pasta dish. I'm working on finding a recipe to make at home that delivers on flavor while not taking all day to make. Is that possible? I just don't know, but I'm experimenting and will share the results with you here.
Last week I found a recipe that claimed three hours start to finish with 20 minutes of active involvement. I decided to help that along by adapting the recipe for my bread machine. Here's how it all worked out.
Bread Ingredients |
Print Recipe
- 1 1/2 cups slightly warm water, about 90 degrees
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
- Cornstarch for dusting
Directions
Add the ingredients to your bread machine in the order listed. Set the machine on the dough cycle. The dough is going to be very sticky. Check the kneading cycle to make sure the flour is being fully incorporated.
Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine |
At the end of the last rest period, turn your oven on to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust the paper with cornstarch. Flour your hands and turn the dough out onto the parchment paper, forming the dough into a ball. After all the prior folding and resting the dough should now be stretchy with big bubbles. Cover the dough with a towel and let rest for another fifteen minutes.
The Final Rest |
The Baked Loaf |
Nice Texture and Chewy Crust |
Enjoy!
I love a nice crusty loaf. I think the general trick with bread is that, as you've noticed, you have to start early. Not that you have to work for all that time, but just to give it the time to rise.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Rachel. With bread, patience most certainly is a virtue.
ReplyDelete